Pregame chatter: Rain is in the forecast (of course) and Boston has a game at Oakland tomorrow. … Torre likes what he say of Abreu the last few days, so he’s back in the three hole. … If you were wondering, the Yankees have no intention of backing away from Roger Clemens. “We’re still in it,” Brian Cashman said.

UPDATE, 9:58 p.m.: Sorry for the lack of updates but these Sunday night games are a pain in terms of deadlines and getting copy in. They end so late that I have to write a story for our early editions in place of the game story.

Nice effort by the Yankees so far, although Pettitte is in trouble as I write this. It’s going to be tough to watch Josh Phelps at first base but he does have two hits. It’ll be interesting to see how he produces because he has power but that huge swing makes him vulnerable.

OK, back to work for me.

UPDATE: 11:06 p.m.: Luis Vizcaino needs to be DFA’d if only to keep Joe Torre from using him ever again. I just don’t get it. … Meanwhile, since the story broke about his stripper girlfriend, Alex Rodriguez is 3 of 13 and has hit the ball out of the infield twice. … The Yankees are 4-17 in games decided by one or two runs, so it doesn’t look good.

UPDATE, 11:22 p.m.: Having been out in center field this morning when we played the Boston media, I’m here you tell you that Cano hit that ball a long way. That was a rocket. Until Matsui’s single, the Yankees had been 4 of 27 (.148) against Okajima this season.

It’s now raining, by the way. I suspect they’ll keep playing because it’s not supposed to stop any time soon.

UPDATE, 11:44 p.m.: Bobby Abreu, had it all the way. Dog to hero with one play.